Chapter 2
Serena's POV
I woke to gentle knocking at the door.
Sunlight filtered through heavy curtains into the room. I squinted toward the door, my head still foggy with sleep.
"Luna? Are you awake?" A young girl's voice came from outside.
I quickly sat up, smoothing my messy hair. "Come in."
An eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl entered with a tray in her hands. She had strawberry blonde curls and kind brown eyes that sparkled with friendliness.
"Good morning, Luna. I'm Maya, assigned to take care of you." She set down the tray and curtsied respectfully. "Here's your breakfast."
Luna? I almost forgot my current identity.
"Thank you, Maya." I forced a smile. "Where's Adrian?"
"Alpha Adrian left early to handle pack business." Maya began tidying the room. "He asked me to tell you that someone will show you around the territory today."
I nodded, though disappointment tugged at my heart. Last night's intimate atmosphere felt like just my imagination.
"Luna, would you like me to help you choose today's outfit?" Maya gestured toward a massive wardrobe. "Alpha Adrian had many prepared for you."
I walked to the closet and opened it. Inside hung countless dresses and suits in the latest styles, all looking expensive.
"These are all for me?"
"Of course." Maya said enviously. "Alpha Adrian really spoils you."
My heart raced inexplicably. He'd actually prepared all this for me?
I finally chose a simple, elegant blue dress. After Maya styled my hair, she led me out of the room.
Blackstone Pack territory was more magnificent than I'd imagined. Thick carpets lined the hallways, with portraits of past Alphas hanging on the walls.
"That's the current Alpha's father." Maya pointed to one portrait. "He died three years ago—that's when Alpha Adrian inherited the position."
The man in the painting had similar features to Adrian but looked more stern and cold.
"He became Alpha very young." I murmured.
"Yes, only twenty-five." Maya lowered her voice. "Some elders thought he was too young, but Alpha Adrian quickly proved his abilities."
We passed the conference hall, where heated discussions echoed inside. Through the half-open door, I saw Adrian seated at the head.
"Border patrols found suspicious tracks." A middle-aged man was reporting. "Might be Blake's people testing our defenses."
Blake? My heart sank. My original fiancé, now with the real Stella.
"Increase border security." Adrian said calmly. "Anyone entering our territory without permission—kill on sight."
"Yes, Alpha."
I quickly pulled Maya away, anxiety churning in my stomach. Why would Blake be testing Blackstone Pack's defenses?
"Luna, let's check out the garden." Maya suggested. "It's beautiful."
The garden was indeed stunning, with various flowers competing in their splendor and a small lake where sunlight danced golden spots on the water.
"Does Adrian come here often?" I asked casually.
"He used to." Maya's expression dimmed. "Not much since the accident though. He says... walking with a cane doesn't get him very far."
My heart ached. That proud Alpha must struggle with accepting his physical limitations.
"Luna?"
I turned to see an elegant middle-aged woman approaching us.
"I'm Margaret, one of the pack elders." She nodded politely but coldly. "Welcome to Blackstone Pack."
"Thank you." I could sense her hostility.
"I heard you have moonlight bloodline?" Margaret asked bluntly.
My pulse quickened, but I forced myself to stay calm. "Yes."
"How wonderful." Her smile seemed forced. "Adrian needs strong heirs to solidify his position. Especially now... his physical condition has some people questioning him."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing specific." Margaret's gaze sharpened. "Just hoping you'll fulfill your Luna duties soon. After all, an Alpha without heirs never has truly secure standing."
Her words made me uncomfortable, but before I could respond, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Elder Margaret."
I turned to see Adrian approaching with his cane. In the sunlight, his complexion looked somewhat pale, but those emerald eyes remained deep and captivating.
"Adrian." Margaret's tone immediately became respectful. "I was chatting with the new Luna."
"I heard." Adrian reached my side, his hand brushing my waist—that possessive touch made my heart race. "My wife's duties are for me to determine, not others to worry about."
Margaret's expression shifted slightly, but she nodded. "Of course, Alpha."
After she left, Adrian's hand remained on my waist. That warmth made it nearly impossible to concentrate.
"Sorry, she's a bit nosy." His voice carried apology as he spoke near my ear.
"It's fine." I struggled to stay composed. "About what she said regarding heirs..."
"Don't mind her." Adrian smiled slightly. "We have plenty of time."
I'd been Adrian's mate for two weeks now, and life was far better than I'd expected.
Every morning, I woke to delicious aromas from the kitchen. Despite his cane making movement difficult, Adrian always insisted on preparing my breakfast.
"You like jasmine tea?" Seeing the surprise in my eyes as I lifted the cup, he smiled warmly. "I'll remember that."
My heart flooded with warmth. No one had ever remembered my preferences. At Riverside Pack, everyone only remembered what Stella liked—my existence was paper-thin.
"You don't need to go through this trouble every day..." I felt guilty.
"It's no trouble." Adrian said softly. "Seeing you happy is my greatest joy."
DAMN. How could this man be so perfect?
Rain started falling suddenly in the afternoon. I stood by the window watching raindrops beat down flower petals in the garden, feeling somewhat melancholy.
"Want to go out?" Adrian appeared behind me, holding a black umbrella.
"But your leg..."
"It's fine." He extended his hand. "Walk with me?"
The rain-soaked garden had its own charm. Adrian held the umbrella, and though his steps were unsteady, he carefully protected me from getting wet.
"Watch out for puddles here." He tested the path ahead with his cane while his other arm securely protected my waist.
That feeling of being protected made my nose sting with emotion.
"Adrian, does your leg still hurt?"
"Not when you're with me."
That sentence instantly filled my heart with warmth that nearly overflowed.
"By the way, see that empty space?" He pointed to a vacant area deep in the garden. "I want to build you a greenhouse there."
"A greenhouse?" I froze.
"Don't you love flowers?" He looked at me tenderly. "I want to build you the most beautiful greenhouse, filled with flowers you love. Jasmine, roses, lavender... whatever you want."
Tears immediately welled up in my eyes. No one had ever done anything like this for me.
"Really?"
"Of course, my mate deserves the best." He caressed my cheek. "I want you to be truly happy here."
I couldn't help but rise on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek lightly. "Thank you for being so good to me."
He froze for a second, then his eyes ignited with intense heat. "Stella..."
He leaned down, his lips about to touch mine when—
"What a touching scene."
A slightly mocking voice suddenly interrupted, and we immediately separated.
